Zweig was one of the most prolific and widely-read writers of the 1930s and 1940s. Considered to be one of Europe's "wise men" during the interwar years, his work was translated into more than 50 languages.

The author became perplexed by Zweig's suicide in 1942, living safely in Brazil, wealthy, world famous and with a young new wife. This book was an attempt to understand the suicide of a man whose writings were discovered by accident and greatly enjoyed.